Effective field theory provides a way of parameterizing strong-field deviations from General Relativity that might be observable in the gravitational waves emitted in a black hole merger. To perform numerical simulations of mergers in such theories it is necessary that the equations be written in a form that admits a well-posed initial value formulation. We study gravity coupled to a scalar field including the leading (4-derivative) effective field theory corrections. We introduce a new class of "modified harmonic" gauges and gauge-fixed equations of motion, such that, at weak coupling, the equations are strongly hyperbolic and therefore admit a well-posed initial value formulation.
We revisit the analogy between a minimally coupled scalar field in general relativity and a perfect fluid, correcting previous identifications of effective temperature and chemical potential. This provides a useful complementary picture for the first-order thermodynamics of scalar-tensor gravity, paving the way for the Einstein frame formulation (which eluded previous attempts) and raises interesting questions to further develop the analogy.
The recently proposed regularized Lovelock tensors are kinetically coupled to the scalar field. The resulting equation of motion is second order. In particular, it is found that when the $p=3$ regularized Lovelock tensor is kinetically coupled to the scalar field, the scalar field is the potential candidate of cosmic dark energy.
Tensor models are more-index generalizations of the so-called matrix models, and provide models of quantum gravity with the idea that spaces and general relativity are emergent phenomena. In this paper, a renormalization procedure for the tensor models whose dynamical variable is a totally symmetric real three-tensor is discussed. It is proven that configurations with certain Gaussian forms are the attractors of the three-tensor under the renormalization procedure. Since these Gaussian configurations are parameterized by a scalar and a symmetric two-tensor, it is argued that, in general situat…
We study the perturbative behaviour of topological black holes in the presence of a cosmological constant and a scalar field coupled to the Gauss-Bonnet term. We calculate both analytically and numerically the quasi-normal modes of scalar perturbations in the extended scalar-tensor-Gauss-Bonnet gravity. In the case of small black holes we find a phase transition of the topological black hole to a hairy configuration.
The linear and quadratic perturbations for a scalar-tensor model with non-minimal coupling to curvature, coupling to the Gauss-Bonnet invariant and non-minimal kinetic coupling to the Einstein tensor are developed. The quadratic action for the scalar and tensor perturbations is constructed and the power spectra for the primordial scalar and tensor fluctuations are given. A consistency relation that is useful to discriminate the model from the standard inflation with canonical scalar field was found. For some power-law potentials it is shown that the Introduction of additional interactions, giv…
We reconsider the issue of whether scalar-tensor theories can admit stable wormhole configurations supported by a non-trivial radial profile for the scalar field. Using a recently proposed effective theory for perturbations around static, spherically symmetric backgrounds, we show that scalar-tensor theories of "beyond Horndeski" type can have wormhole solutions that are free of ghost and gradient instabilities. Such solutions are instead forbidden within the more restrictive "Horndeski" class of theories.
In this paper, we study various cosmological parameters and quantities in scalar-tensor gravity from inflation and swampland conjecture. Therefore, by selecting different models such as power-law, exponential, and logarithmic in the framework of scalar-tensor theory, we obtain potential, tensor-to-scalar ratio, and the scalar spectral index. Next, we examine new constraints and compare the corresponding results with the latest observable data. Here, we take advantage of the obtained results and determine the compatibility or incompatibility of the corresponding model with the swampland conject…
We present spontaneous scalarization of charged black holes (BHs) which is induced by the coupling of the scalar field to the electromagnetic field strength and the double-dual Riemann tensor $L^{μναβ}F_{μν}F_{αβ}$ in a scalar-vector-tensor theory. In our model, the scalarization can be realized under the curved background with a non-trivial electromagnetic field, such as Reissner-Nordstr$\ddot{\rm o}$m Black Holes (RN BHs). Firstly, we investigate the stability of the constant scalar field around RN BHs in the model, and show that the scalar field can suffer a tachyonic instability. Secondly,…
We generalize the electromagnetic duality between a massless, canonical scalar field and a 2-form gauge field in 4-dimensional spacetime to scalar-tensor theories. We derive the action of 2-form gauge field that is dual to two kinds of scalar-tensor theories: shift symmetric K-essence theory and the shift symmetric Horndeski theory up to quadratic in scalar field. The former case, the dual 2-form has a nonlinear kinetic term. The latter case, the dual 2-form has non-trivial interactions with gravity through Einstein tensor. In both case, the duality relation is modified from usual case, that i…
We study spherically-symmetric structures in Conformal Gravity and in a scalar-tensor extension and gain some more insight about these gravitational theories. In both cases we analyze solutions in two systems: perfect fluid solutions and boson stars of a self-interacting complex scalar field. In the purely tensorial (original) theory we find in a certain domain of parameter space finite mass solutions with a linear gravitational potential but without a Newtonian contribution. The scalar-tensor theory exhibits a very rich structure of solutions whose main properties are discussed. Among them, s…
One-loop effective potential of scalar-tensor gravity with a quartic scalar field self-interaction is evaluated up to first post-Minkowskian order. The potential develops an instability in the strong field regime which is expected from an effective theory. Depending on model parameters the instability region can be exponentially far in a strong field region. Possible applications of the model for inflationary scenarios are highlighted. It is shown that the model can enter the slow-roll regime with a certain set of parameters.
In this letter we investigate gauge invariant scalar fluctuations of the metric in a non-perturbative formalism for a Higgs inflationary model recently introduced in the framework of a geometrical scalar-tensor theory of gravity. In this scenario the Higgs inflaton field has its origin in the Weyl scalar field of the background geometry. We found a nearly scale invariance of the power spectrum for linear scalar fluctuations of the metric. For certain parameters of the model we obtain values for the scalar spectral index $n_s$ and the scalar to tensor ratio $r$ that fit well with the Planck 201…
We investigate the correspondence between generally covariant higher derivative scalar-tensor theory and spatially covariant gravity theory. The building blocks are the scalar field and spacetime curvature tensor together with their generally covariant derivatives for the former, and the spatially covariant geometric quantities together with their spatially covariant derivatives for the later. In the case of a single scalar degree of freedom, they are transformed to each other by gauge fixing and recovering procedures, of which we give the explicit expressions. We make a systematic classificat…
We study a modification of the Plebanski action, which generically corresponds to a bi-metric theory of gravity, and identify a subclass which is equivalent to the Bergmann-Wagoner-Nordtvedt class of scalar-tensor theories. In this manner, scalar-tensor theories are displayed as constrained BF theories. We find that in this subclass, there is no need to impose reality of the Urbantke metrics, as also the theory with real bivectors is a scalar-tensor theory with a real Lorentzian metric. Furthermore, while under the former reality conditions instabilities can arise from a wrong sign of the scal…
Scalar-scalar-tensor interaction in DHOST theories
Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences（俄罗斯科学院核物理研究所）；Institute for Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, MSU（莫斯科国立大学理论数学物理研究所）；NRC, ”Kurchatov Institute”（库尔恰托夫国家研究中心）；Department of Particle Physics and Cosmology, Physics Faculty, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University（莫斯科国立大学物理系粒子物理与宇宙学教研室）
We investigate in detail the mechanism of superradiance to render the instability of Kerr-de Sitter black holes in scalar-tensor gravity. Our results provide more clues to examine the scalar-tensor gravity in the astrophysical black holes in the universe with cosmological constant. We also discuss the spontaneous scalarization in the de Sitter background and find that this instability can also happen in the spherical de Sitter configuration in a special style.
We obtain scale-invariant scalar and tensor power spectra from a Weyl-invariant scalar-tensor theory in de Sitter spacetime. This implies that the Weyl-invariance guarantees to implement the scale-invariance of power spectrum in de Sitter spacetime. We establish a deep connection between the Weyl-invariance of the action and scale-invariance of power spectrum in de Sitter spacetime.
We consider a gravitating system of vanishing cosmological constant consisting of an electromagnetic field and a scalar field coupled to the Einstein tensor. A Reissner-Nordström black hole undergoes a second-order phase transition to a hairy black hole of generally anisotropic hair at a certain critical temperature which we compute. The no-hair theorem is evaded due to the coupling between the scalar field and the Einstein tensor. Within a first order perturbative approach we calculate explicitly the properties of a hairy black hole configuration near the critical temperature and show that it…
We prove that vector fields described by the generalized Proca class of theories do not admit a consistent coupling to a gravitational sector defined by a scalar-tensor theory of the degenerate type. Under the assumption that there exists a frame in which the Proca field interacts with gravity only through the metric tensor, our analysis shows that at least one of the constraints associated with the degeneracy of the scalar-tensor sector is inevitably lost whenever the vector theory includes a coupling to the Christoffel connection.
An exact de Sitter solution of scalar-tensor gravity is found, in which the non-minimal coupling scalar is rolling along a non-constant potential. Based on this solution, a dust-filled FRW universe is explored in frame of scalar-tensor gravity. The effective dark energy induced by the sole non-minimal scalar can be quintessence-like, phantom-like, and more significantly, can cross the phantom divide. The rich and varied properties of scalar-tensor gravity even with only one scalar is shown in this article.
We present a direct confirmation of the validity of the equivalence principle for unstructured test bodies in scalar tensor gravity. Our analysis is complementary to previous approaches and valid for a large class of scalar-tensor theories of gravitation. A covariant approach is used to derive the equations of motion in a systematic way and allows for the experimental test of scalar-tensor theories by means of extended test bodies.
We propose a new class of higher derivative scalar-tensor theories without the Ostrogradsky's ghost instabilities. The construction of our theory is originally motivated by a scalar field with spacelike gradient, which enables us to fix a gauge in which the scalar field appears to be non-dynamical. We dub such a gauge as the spatial gauge. Though the scalar field loses its dynamics, the spatial gauge fixing breaks the time diffeomorphism invariance and thus excites a scalar mode in the gravity sector. We generalize this idea and construct a general class of scalar-tensor theories through a non…
We study the dynamical description of gravity, the appropriate definition of the scalar field energy-momentum tensor, and the interrelation between them in scalar-tensor theories of gravity. We show that the quantity which one would naively identify as the energy-momentum tensor of the scalar field is not appropriate because it is spoiled by a part of the dynamical description of gravity. A new connection can be defined in terms of which the full dynamical description of gravity is explicit, and the correct scalar field energy-momentum tensor can be immediately identified. Certain inequalities…
We compute the phenomenological signatures of a model (Watanabe et al' 09) of anisotropic inflation driven by a scalar and a vector field. The action for the vector is U(1) invariant, and the model is free of ghost instabilities. A suitable coupling of the scalar to the kinetic term of the vector allows for a slow roll evolution of the vector vev, and hence for a prolonged anisotropic expansion; this provides a counter example to the cosmic no hair conjecture. We compute the nonvanishing two point correlation functions between physical modes of the system, and express them in terms of power sp…
In gravity theories that exhibit spontaneous scalarization, astrophysical objects are identical to their general relativistic counterpart until they reach a certain threshold in compactness or curvature. Beyond this threshold, they acquire a non-trivial scalar configuration, which also affects their structure. The onset of scalarization is controlled only by terms that contribute to linear perturbation around solutions of general relativity. The complete set of these terms has been identified for generalized scalar-tensor theories. Stepping on this result, we study the onset on scalarization i…
We refine and slightly enlarge the recently proposed first-order thermodynamics of scalar-tensor gravity to include gravitational scalar fields with timelike and past-directed gradients. The implications and subtleties arising in this situation are discussed and an exact cosmological solution of scalar-tensor theory in first-order thermodynamics is revisited in light of these results.
Stationary, asymptotically flat black holes in scalar-tensor theories of gravity are studied. It is shown that such black holes have no scalar hair and are the same as in General Relativity.
We reconstruct the potential of minimally coupling inflation model which produces small value of the tensor-scalar ratio. In these inflation models, tensor-scalar ratio is proportional to 1/N^2 scalar spectral index is in good agreement with recent cosmological observations, in which N is the e-folding number and p is a positive number. We also reconstruct f(R) gravity inflation from small tensor-tensor ratio.
We give a brief summary of the formalism of invariants in general scalar-tensor and multiscalar-tensor gravities without derivative couplings. By rescaling of the metric and reparametrization of the scalar fields, the theory can be presented in different conformal frames and parametrizations. Due to this freedom in transformations, the scalar fields themselves do not carry independent physical meaning (in a generic parametrization). However, there are functions of the scalar fields and their derivatives which remain invariant under the transformations, providing a set of physical variables for…
It has been pointed out that matter bounce cosmology driven by a k-essence field cannot satisfy simultaneously the observational bounds on the tensor-to-scalar ratio and non-Gaussianity of the curvature perturbation. In this paper, we show that this is not the case in more general scalar-tensor theories. To do so, we evaluate the power spectra and the bispectra of scalar and tensor perturbations on a general contracting background in the Horndeski theory. We then discuss how one can discriminate contracting models from inflation based on non-Gaussian signatures of tensor perturbations.
The holographic bound has been extended to the different theory of gravities such as scalar-tensor gravity and $f(R)$ gravity according to the Noether charge definition of the entropy for a black hole surface. We have introduced some popular examples of the flat FRW cosmology in order to investigate holographic bound in scalar-tensor and $f(R)$ gravity. Using the holographic bound, we put an additional constraint on the scalar-tensor gravity and $f(R)$ gravity parameters. We also discuss about the transformation from Jordan frame to Einstein frame.
We use the 1+1+2 covariant approach to clarify a number of aspects of spherically symmetric solutions of non-minimally coupled scalar tensor theories. Particular attention is focused on the extension of Birkhoff's theorem and the nature of quasi-local horizons in this context.
The Horndeski action is the most general one involving a metric and a scalar field that leads to second-order field equations in four dimensions. Being the natural extension of the well-known scalar-tensor theories, its structure and properties are worth analyzing along the experience accumulated in the latter context. Here, we argue that disformal transformations play, for the Horndeski theory, a similar role to that of conformal transformations for scalar-tensor theories a la Brans-Dicke.
We discuss the dynamics of extended test bodies for a large class of scalar-tensor theories of gravitation. A covariant multipolar Mathisson-Papapetrou-Dixon type of approach is used to derive the equations of motion in a systematic way for both Jordan and Einstein formulations of these theories. The results obtained provide the framework to experimentally test scalar-tensor theories by means of extended test bodies.
It is proved that all thin-shell wormholes built from two identical regions of vacuum static, spherically symmetric space-times have a negative shell surface energy density in any scalar-tensor theory of gravity with a non-ghost massless scalar field and a non-ghost graviton.
We demonstrate the existence of static, spherically symmetric globally regular, i.e. solitonic solutions of a shift-symmetric scalar-tensor gravity model with negative cosmological constant. The norm of the Noether current associated to the shift symmetry is finite in the full space-time. We also discuss the corresponding black hole solutions and demonstrate that the interplay between the scalar-tensor coupling and the cosmological constant leads to the existence of new branches of solutions. To linear order in the scalar-tensor coupling, the asymptotic space-time corresponds to an Anti-de Sit…
The timing of binary pulsars allows us to place some of the tightest constraints on modified theories of gravity. Perhaps some of the most interesting and well-motivated extensions to General Relativity are scalar-tensor theories, in which gravity is mediated by the metric tensor and a scalar field. These theories predict large deviations from General Relativity in the presence of neutron stars through a phenomenon known as scalarization. Neutron stars in scalar-tensor theories develop scalar charges, which directly enter the timing model for binary pulsars. In this paper, we calculate and tab…
SNIA and CMB datasets have shown both of evolving Newton's "constant" and a signature of the coupling of scalar field to matter. These observations motivate the consideration of the scalar-matter coupling in Jordan frame in the framework of scalar-tensor gravity. So far, majority of the works on the coupling of scalar matter has performed in Einstein frame in the framework of minimally coupled scalar fields. In this work, we generalize the original scalar-tensor theories of gravity introducing a direct coupling of scalar to matter in the Jordan frame. The combined consideration of both evolvin…
We study 4-dimensional charged and static black holes in a generalized scalar-tensor gravity model, in which a shift symmetry for the scalar field exists. For vanishing scalar field the solution corresponds to the Reissner-Nordström (RN) solution, while solutions of the full scalar-gravity model have to be constructed numerically. We demonstrate that these black holes support galilean scalar hair up to a maximal value of the scalar-tensor coupling that depends on the value of the charge and can be up to roughly twice as large as that for uncharged solutions. The Hawking temperature $T_{\rm H}$…
